MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION - Health Promotion Agency

Mental Health Promotion in Northern Ireland
CATEGORY 3
Project name
Contact name
Address
The Gap Project
Maeve McDonald
Southern Division Education Welfare Office
Bungalow 2
Rosstulla School
2-6 Jordanstown Road
Newtownabbey
BT37 0QF
Telephone number 01232 364034
Brief description of project
Objectives
The Gap Project is a new initiative, piloted in the
Newtownabbey/Carrickfergus area, which caters to a total of 10
young people, in their final year of compulsory schooling, whose
education has completely broken down as a result of attendance and
behavioural problems including truancy, expulsion and school phobia.
The primary aim is to provide inclusive development and learning
opportunities and reduce disaffection.
Weekly structure:
• 2 days further education college – basic curricular areas and
vocational training.
• 2 days extended work experience undertaken in local community.
• 1 day personal and social development – training in social and life
skills, structured leisure activities.
The course commenced September 1998 and is due to run until the
end of the academic year – June 1999.
• To help young people achieve broadly based and relevant training
which leads to an approved qualification.
• To enable young people to increase self-esteem and develop their
full potential.
• To support young people in exploring career options and help equip
them for the realities of a working environment.
• To achieve progression into further education, training and/or
employment.
Outcomes: Planned Increased self-esteem, reduced level of disaffection, reduction in
criminal behaviour, positive destination after leaving the project,
increased qualifications and improved employability, improved quality
of life.
Evaluation
Interim report only.
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